Production of nutrient-rich foods for carnivorous animals: a sustainable approach using Amazonian by-products of fishing and fishing processing

Abstract

The animal feed manufacturing industry faces ongoing challenges in providing nutritionally balanced diets for a wide range of species, particularly carnivorous animals. The prevalent use of plant-based ingredients in commercial feeds often leads to significant nutritional limitations for these species, driven by cost and availability considerations. This study aims to develop an innovative process for producing nutrient-rich feed for carnivorous animals using Amazonian by-products of fishing and fishing processing as the primary source of high-quality animal-derived nutrients. Additionally, it evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of this process, examining its impacts on the health and growth of animals fed with these diets. Furthermore, it explores the environmental and economic benefits arising from the intelligent utilization by-products of fishing and fishing processing in the animal feed industry. The research involved the formulation and production of animal feed utilizing by-products of fishing and fishing processing through pelletization and extrusion techniques. These feeds were then subjected to comprehensive nutritional analysis and performance evaluations with carnivorous species. The study also considered the cost-effectiveness of this approach by assessing raw material costs. The research successfully demonstrated the production of nutrient-rich feeds with elevated utilization of animal-derived nutrients, contributing to improved nutrition for carnivorous animals. The experimental diets showed promising results in terms of animal health, growth, and survival rates during the preliminary performance evaluation.